Meghalaya Film Industry Takes Off with ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’: A Game-Changer for Tourism and Creative Economy

Published on November 22, 2025

With the successful completion of the first full-length feature film under the Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy 2025, Meghalaya has achieved a significant milestone in its efforts to develop a creative economy. Guni Manchikanti’s Telugu crime-comedy Baa Baa Black Sheep has taken a big step toward making Meghalaya a popular destination for filmmakers both domestically and internationally. The film, which was shot entirely in Meghalaya’s breathtaking scenery, ushers in a new era for the state’s economy and tourism.

Filming in Sohra: The Heart of Meghalaya’s Creative Landscape

The production of Baa Baa Black Sheep took place over 25 days in the awe-inspiring region of Sohra, one of Meghalaya’s most picturesque areas. Known for its dramatic cliffs, dense forests, and mist-laden valleys, Sohra provided the perfect backdrop for this high-energy crime comedy. This film’s completion is not just a victory for filmmakers but for the people of Meghalaya as well, as it represents the state’s growing influence as a hub for cinematic creativity.

Shot in a record 25 days, the film’s success is even more remarkable given the tight schedule. Local landscapes have played a crucial role in capturing the essence of the story while showcasing Meghalaya’s untouched beauty to the world. The scenic beauty of Sohra’s natural environment has been utilised to its fullest, as every frame of the film has been captured in the region’s breathtaking landscapes.

A Milestone for Employment and Local Engagement

One of the most notable outcomes of the film’s production is the employment generated for the local youth. Nearly 2,000 local youths were engaged across various departments of the production. This involvement not only helped in boosting the local economy but also offered valuable experience in filmmaking, production, and creative industries. Such large-scale employment is rare in Meghalaya’s nascent film industry and signals the potential for similar opportunities in the future.

The inclusion of local talent was a key factor in making the film’s production a success. Local actors, crew members, and technical staff contributed significantly to the film’s seamless execution. This focus on local employment serves as a catalyst for future projects and marks the beginning of Meghalaya’s journey towards becoming a professional filmmaking destination.

A Story Rooted in Chaos and Comedy

Baa Baa Black Sheep is a crime-comedy that revolves around a flamboyant gangster, his misfit friends, eccentric criminals, and a chaotic city-wide chase triggered by the discovery of Mahatma Gandhi’s “missing watch.” The storyline promises a mix of humour, drama, and unexpected twists, which has captured the attention of audiences across the country. The film will soon premiere nationally, adding a unique cinematic experience to the Indian film industry.

The success of Baa Baa Black Sheep underscores Meghalaya’s readiness to host national-scale film projects. The film’s potential to draw attention to the state’s emerging film sector highlights the government’s commitment to creating a robust infrastructure to support future productions.

Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy 2025: A Gateway for Future Productions

The completion of the first film under the Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy 2025 comes at a time when the state is actively building a framework to attract more national and international film productions. The government has introduced a comprehensive package of financial incentives and streamlined processes through the Invest Meghalaya Portal. These measures aim to make Meghalaya an attractive destination for filmmakers and production companies.

Under the policy, filmmakers can avail of subsidies up to ₹1 crore or 25% of the production cost for the first ten films. Additionally, there are special incentives for projects that involve local cast and crew, use local music, or premiere on Hello Meghalaya, the state’s official OTT platform. This initiative is set to boost the state’s visibility in the national and international film circuits, while also driving the local economy forward.

Boosting Meghalaya’s Tourism and Creative Economy

The Baa Baa Black Sheep project aligns perfectly with Meghalaya’s Vision 2032, which aims to use tourism and the creative sector as key drivers for economic growth. By 2028, the state is targeting a $10 billion economy, with an increase to $16 billion by 2032. Film productions like Baa Baa Black Sheep play a significant role in this vision by putting Meghalaya on the map as a popular destination for filmmakers and tourists alike.

The state’s unique landscapes, coupled with the support offered by the Film Tourism Policy, make it an attractive location for various types of film productions. In addition to fostering local employment and promoting tourism, the film policy is designed to develop Meghalaya into a cultural hub, bringing a host of cinematic works to the region.

Hello Meghalaya: A Platform for Local Talent

One of the driving forces behind this initiative is the Hello Meghalaya platform, which has quickly become a cultural accelerator for the state. With over 4.4 lakh downloads and 2 crore views, the platform has showcased more than 500 works, including 83 feature films, created by over 125 local filmmakers and 300 digital content creators. The integration of Hello Meghalaya with the Film Tourism Policy further strengthens the pipeline for locally rooted content, ensuring a steady flow of productions that reflect the state’s unique culture and language.

The platform hosts a variety of films in Khasi, Garo, and Pnar languages, giving a voice to the local communities and enhancing the state’s cultural visibility. The multilingual approach of Baa Baa Black Sheep — including a Khasi version of the film — further reinforces Meghalaya’s commitment to inclusive storytelling, enabling the state’s rich cultural heritage to be seen and appreciated on a broader scale.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Meghalaya’s Film Industry

The state has established a strong foundation for upcoming film productions with the successful completion of Baa Baa Black Sheep and the full implementation of the Meghalaya Film Tourism Policy. Filmmakers searching for new, unexplored locations with both aesthetic appeal and a strong support network will surely become more interested after the movie’s national premiere.

Meghalaya is positioned to become a top film tourism destination as more productions are drawn to the state’s varied landscapes and rich cultural backdrop. Local communities will continue to profit from the jobs these productions create, and the expanding industry will support the region’s overall economic growth.

Meghalaya’s creative potential has put it on the map of the world. Its film tourism policy ensures that the state is prepared for the next major production by providing the ideal balance of infrastructure, incentives, and local involvement. Meghalaya is becoming a thriving centre for creativity, culture, and cinematic storytelling rather than merely a charming hill station, as evidenced by the government’s steadfast support for the film industry.